Rumination

Rumination is the act of compulsively and repetitively thinking about the same thoughts, often negative or distressing ones. It involves dwelling on problems, mistakes, or anxieties, leading to a state of heightened emotional distress. Unlike healthy problem-solving, rumination doesn't aim to find solutions but rather to rehash and analyze the same information repeatedly, fueling feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness. This mental process can consume significant time and energy, interfering with daily functioning and well-being. The ruminative cycle often involves questioning, self-criticism, and an inability to disengage from persistent negative thoughts. It can be a symptom or a contributing factor in various mental health conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Rumination meaning with examples

• After the interview, she fell into a rumination spiral, replaying every question and answer, obsessing over potential mistakes, even though the interviewers seemed pleased. This obsessive review kept her from focusing on other tasks and left her feeling increasingly anxious about the outcome.
• The deadline missed by the project group had them in a constant state of rumination, analyzing the series of events that led up to the miss. They struggled to move past the incident because each member repeatedly revisited what they could have done differently, fostering self-blame and hindering their ability to start on the next project.
• He found himself stuck in rumination after the argument with his friend, unable to let go of their hurtful words. This mental pattern kept him replaying the conversation in his head, which intensified his sadness and blocked his ability to contact his friend and make up.
• Following her diagnosis, she was overwhelmed with rumination about her future health, leading to sleepless nights and a feeling of powerlessness. She struggled to find any reprieve from the worrisome thoughts, as they continually resurfaced, contributing to her growing anxiety levels.
• When she lost a lot of money from an investment, her mind went into rumination mode. She constantly thought about missed opportunities and what she should have done differently, which led to paralysis, preventing her from making the important decisions she needed to make for future investments.